From the words lettered A to D, choose the one that has the correct stress apathetic

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the option that shows the correct stress pattern (the syllable pronounced with the most emphasis) for the word apathetic.

Explain the concept: Words ending in -ic usually take the main stress on the syllable immediately before the -ic ending (the penultimate syllable). Examples:

• eco-NOM-ic
• pho-TO-graph-ic
• sym-PA-thet-ic
• em-PHAT-ic

Show the solution:

1. Break the word into syllables: ap - a - thet - ic (4 syllables).
2. The ending is -ic, so the stress falls on the syllable just before it: thet.
3. The word is therefore pronounced: ap-a-THET-ic /ˌæpəˈθetɪk/.

Checking the options:

• A. ap-a-THET-ic → stress on "thet" ✔
• B. AP-a-thet-ic → stress on the first syllable ✘
• C. ap-A-thet-ic → stress on the second syllable ✘
• D. ap-a-thet-IC → stress on the last syllable ✘

Tip: For words ending in -ic, -ical, -ion, -ity, the stress usually falls on the syllable just before the ending. Related words follow the same pattern: sympathetic, pathetic, energetic, enthusiastic.